Anderson Silva (-500) vs. Chael Sonnen (+300) : Although often times disappointing, Anderson Silva knows the formula to defeat opponents, often by taking advantage of the UFC rules. As we witnessed in the Silva v Maia fight, Silva does not mind winning 3 rounds and then running for the remaining 2. He plays a purely defensive game, hardly ever engaging his opponent without them initializing it.

Dana White expressed his disgust and embarrassment after Silva defeated Maia with a less than impressive performance. He show boated, ran around in circles, and according to Dana White, made a jackass of himself.

"He [Silva] feels that he doesnít owe the fans an apology,Ē White noted. ĒYet, Iím apologizing. I didnít go in an fight like a jackass for five rounds. I didnít do what he did tonight, but Iím embarrassed.Ē

Despite his lackluster performances and strange antics, Silva has yet to be defeated in the UFC because he takes advantage of the rules and the fans. He makes a mockery of the sport; however, fighters have yet to teach him a lesson.

Winner: Anderson Silva

Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves

Winner: Thiago Alves

Junior Dos Santos vs. Roy Nelson

Winner: Junior Dos Santos

Clay Guida vs. Rafael Dos Anjos

Winner: Rafael Dos Anjos

I was planning on writing an explanation for each of my predictions; however, I have to go for a few hours so I decided to post what I have. Let the discussion begin on UFC 117, my predictions, your predictions, and anything else concerning this fight card.

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"Where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence."~ Mohandas Gandhi

I haven't heard that (not saying he hasn't said it). Say what you want about Silva but the guy is hard to hit. He has some of the best head movement I have ever seen aqnd he has beaten people who have beaten GSP, He deserves to fight him! And he is no where near the jackass the Lesnar is, not that Lesnar doesen't deserve respect after his win against Corwin, he does, but he's awful arrogant!

Hmmm.....after what Silva did to Demian Maia, I'm not sure Silva isn't more of a jackass than Lesnar. GSP vs. Silva would be an exciting fight, but I fear for GSP. Silva is much taller, and almost certainly the better striker. Silva is also no joke on the ground - he tooled both Nate Marquardt and Dan Henderson.

_________________________"In case you ever wondered what it's like to be knocked out, it's like waking up from a nightmare only to discover it wasn't a dream." -Forrest Griffin

At least Lesnar pursues his opponents and defeats them though. Silva takes advantage of the rules and he wins the majority of the rounds and then runs for the rest. He never pushes the action and makes the sport look like a joke with his constant dancing and taunting, he dances more than he fights.

Edited by MadPanda (07/17/1007:55 PM)

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"Where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence."~ Mohandas Gandhi

I like Anderson Silva. Even though he has some bizarre performances, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time who has the ability to make cage fighting look beautiful. His knockout of Forrest Griffin is one of those fights that I watch every time I get too confident in my own skills, it is simply incredible.

Chael Sonnen talks a lot, but is coming in to the bout a serious underdog with a gameplan that everybody can see a mile off. His only chance to win the fight is to take down Silva and stay on top suffocatingly for 25 minutes. While I'm sure Sonnen's fitness is up to it, and he's done it many times before against quality opponents, I think he will not manage it against Silva, who has a very offensive guard and long legs that he uses well to control his opponents. It is very difficult to grapple effectively against Silva, as the second Rich Franklin fight showed, as well as with grapplers like Leites and Maia. Silva has also been training with Lyoto Machida, who has some great tricks to stop takedowns.

I predict Silva will win by triangle. (Damn, talk about setting oneself up for a fall lol)

Fitch-Alves is a great matchup that got nixed because of Alves' problems. I think Fitch will put on another of his great performances, getting takedowns and getting out of the majority of the hairy exchanges with Alves. Once on the mat, Fitch is an animal, and will tire out Alves, who has had problems with weight in the past, and will not be able to deal with Fitch's control. Of course, Alves might just land a big shot and end the fight, but I really like Fitch and think he gets wrongly maligned for being boring.

Apart from that, I'm really looking forward to the Guida fight. Dos Anjos better come in with a serious game plan, because if you don't control the pace of the fight with Guida, you will simply get overwhelmed. I love watching him fight, because he understands how to hang on guys and give people absolutely no space. It is really a lesson in how to control guys on the ground.

At least Lesnar pursues his opponents and defeats them though. Silva takes advantage of the rules and he wins the majority of the rounds and then runs for the rest. He never pushes the action and makes the sport look like a joke with his constant dancing and taunting, he dances more than he fights.

Some call it "Using the rules to his advantage", others call it "Strategy". Muhammed Ali danced alot too and and stood against a rope taking shots until his opponent wore himself out and then took advantage of their fatigue he earned the title "The Greatest" with this strategy, not very exciting but effective.Fact is Silva still has the belt!

I think it's funny that the main criticism against him is that he 'uses the rules' to win fights. Well, back when UFC had no rules, there was an outcry to get rules. Now you have them, and a thinking fighter is going to use them!